Avalanche at Mt. Manaslu claims 11 lives, injuring18 others

KATHUMANDU —  At least 11 climbers were killed and more than 18 injured in an avalanche that lashed the upper reaches of Mt Manaslu in Gorkha district, some 200 kilometres away from Kathmandu early Sunday (Sept. 23).

Nine of them died in the spot while two died during treatment in Kathmandu.

According to Nepal Police, nine bodies were recovered by Sunday evening and six of them were airlifted to Kathmandu Monday.

A total of 25 climbers were feared buried in the avalanche.

Most of the victims buried in the avalanche were German, French and Spaniards tourists as well as Nepali nationals. About 18 tourists were injured in the avalanche and five others were still missing.

Search and rescue works were continuing but were affected by bad weather.

Bad weather has affected rescue operations, said Basanta Kunwar, Deputy Superintendent of Police based in Gorkha. Five injured climbers were also brought to the capital.

Other injured climbers were receiving first aid at the base camp of Mt Manaslu.

The avalanche occurred at an altitude of 7,400 metres and fell 1,000 metres down, said Aang Tshering Sherpa, former president of Nepal Mountaineering Association.

According to Sherpa, the avalanche occurred when the climbers were sleeping in their tents at around 4:00 am on Sunday.

The avalanche lashed camps 2 and 3 of Mt. Manaslu.

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